Here is a painting painted in 2020 before COVID. It has been part of the National Museum of Women in the Arts 2023 Showcase at E E Bass Cultural Arts Center in Greenville, MS. Even though I painted it in 2020, the piece represents rural Mississippi in the late 1970s for me. It was a time in my youth dear to my heart. These days and summers spent at my grandparent's home in Conehatta were special to me.
As other artists will tell you, there is solitary time in the art-making process. Solitary time has not bothered me for the most part. Being alone and doing my art seems normal since I am also an only child and have done this my whole life. There is a difference, however, between just painting to paint and creating a heartfelt piece. Creating a work from the heart must be inspired by a deep love of something or someone. This way of creating involves no thinking but just doing. It is a state of being where one is peaceful and surrendered. It is easy for one to make art in this state. I am in my element - in that creative zone. I have realized this is the part of being an artist I love. For me, making art goes hand in hand with my faith and reading the word (The Bible). It is where I learn about God and see I am fully known by God. I can rest in His protection, allowing me to be freely creative with no fear.
This is one of those meaningful paintings from my heart representing Conehatta, MS, at my grandparent's house in the 1970s and early 80s. My grandparents were Sally and Sam Bishop, who I called Mama B and Granddaddy. My cousins and I spent time at their home during our summers, and this time influenced all of us more than we realized. They owned around 80 acres with two lakes, two barns, livestock, chickens, and a very large garden. Granddaddy was a carpenter when he wasn't running the farm with Mama B. Us kids got to see how hard they worked to keep this farm. They rarely went to the store except for the essentials. Mom said when she was a little girl, a man with a store truck visited, and my grandmother would trade eggs for flour and sugar. Mama B was an active member of Conehatta Baptist Church. She taught the Bible to children at Sunday school. I appreciate how much she must have bore fruit for the kingdom of God in her small rural town. One thing my mother told me that I will not forget. My grandfather was once approached by the Klu Klux Klan (a very evil group). They wanted him to join them, and I am proud he said "NO" and took a stand against all they were doing and what they stood for. My grandparents took care of the less fortunate local people. They gave work to the Choctaw Indians and took food to those in need.
Mama B showed us, cousins, how to garden and care for chickens. Granddaddy showed us how to bait a hook for pole fishing. We learned how to grow potatoes, make pies, dig up worms for fishing, and collect eggs, shell beans, and peas. Whatever catfish we caught in the pond, Granddaddy would clean, and we would have them for dinner. We slept on sheets dried on a clothesline with windows open to feel the cool night's breeze since there was no a/c. I remember our times eating watermelon on the porch and playing board games with my cousins.
Recently, we had our annual Bishop family reunion. My cousins, grandparents, inlaws, and all still gather to stay in touch. My aunt Nan Owens has made beautiful photo albums from these memories, and I am sharing some of these pictures here. I hope these memories will last and our kids will carry them on to share with their own families.
